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Try writing to us in complete sentences using real words and punctuation - we're not on the other end of a text message . Originally you said you knew the answers, but then you asked, um, what? I'm really not sure what it is you want to hear from us.
How can we help you?
Not enough to get past 5th grade in my daughter's school, but I guess geek speak works well enough for you to be looking at buying a 335i.
Drive an x and non-x back to back. If you can't tell the difference, you might as well get the x for added foul weather versitility. I can, and wouldn't - preferring the lighter, more nimble RWD handling/feel.
If anyone can comment on this:
My 335xi has ~2200 miles. The break-in period was by the book. I don't drive it hard, maybe some occasional spirited shifting, but still below 4500 rpm 90% of the time. The EPA (yeah, right) is 19 to 29. I've had over 30 on the highway, but my city driving (avg speed below 30 mph - my commute is < 5 miles) is now 17.2 mpg. I'd have figured that I'd get at least the minimum EPA mileage.
Should I be concerned? One of the minor reasons I traded in my 4Runner was the crappy mileage. The Bimmer is obviously a lot more fun to drive, but at 93 octane, it gets pricey.
Any comments?
Best Regards,
Shipo
Well, I'm sayin' it's way more than a couple of miles.
Having had an oil temperature gauge in a couple of cars, I learned that it can take from 30 to 60+ minutes for the oil to reach equilibrium. The 60+ minutes piece has to do with driving in the winter in Edmonton, where the temperatures are routinely well (as in way) below zero.
Even today, when I rent GM sleds from National, there is a readout selection that lets you look at the transmission fluid temperature. I consider that a reasonable analog for engine oil temp, and it takes at least 30 minutes to reach stability, and that's with highway speeds. Around town. . .
In-town driving kills fuel mileage, especially when it's cold outside.
Regards,
OW
P.S. He has a hardtop that he uses between November and March, but uses a beater SUV in very cold or snowy weather. Also, his car is a 5-speed manual (as is my Maxima).
Your friend gets a 13.6% efficiency advantage due to the drive train differences and his driving style. Very impressive for a BMW of recent vintage. I am sure the older models of the 3-series were/are higher m.p.g. due to the weight advantage but given 3,500 - 3,700 lbs., technology moves ahead.
I can just imagine what these drive trains are capable of with 500 lbs. shaved off the package! HMM...I smell 1 series, stripped, however!
Regards,
OW
I should have stated that the speed limit on those roads is 60-65. He's a bit more aggressive.
Which brings up another issue. We've all had it drummed into us that we'd get better fuel efficiency at 55 vs. 65 vs. 75. In my TL 6-speed, I get almost exactly the same, having driven the same highway route in the same weather conditions many, many times. Anything less than 60 mph in 6th gear feels like the car is lugging and I need to downshift to pass. Once I go above 75-80, efficiency drops slightly, but it appears that the sweet spot on that car is around 72-75. In the case of my 911S, my best ever highway tankful was a 360 mile trip at an average speed of 76 mph (80+ much of the way) in which I averaged 27.8 mpg (vs. EPA of 25). At 65-70 I average 26-27.
I think many/most 6-speed manual transmissions are geared for peak efficiency in the 70-75 mph range, not 55.
Not bad for an AWD sled!
Regards,
OW
Both of my 5-Speed manual equipped BMWs had their sweet spot for mileage somewhere north of 70 as well. My 2002 530i would do about 31 mpg at 75 while my 1999 328i would get more like 34-35 mpg at those same speeds. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Regards,
OW
I had no idea - the 5 series is only 66 lbs heavier!
Best Regards,
Shipo
Shipo, that's really good mileage. I assume you also did spirited driving over the life of both cars. Very impressive numbers, IMO.
Regards,
OW
As for the mileage I got on my BMWs, yeah, I they did pretty well for me. There was plenty of spirited driving done over the life of both cars. That said, their almost astounding highway mileage always seemed to bring the average up pretty darn fast. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Some people who don't often drive in snow/ice would rather have the quicker, more nimble RWD version.
Both are nice cars - congrats on your choice.
Then again, there are those of us who do often drive on show and ice that would rather have the quicker and more nimble RWD version as well. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
-Getz
Beach Drive / Rock Creek Parkway in DC is my favorite test drive route, and a frequent communting route. But understand, I am not a "camaro boy"....
we found it impossible to keep the the vishnu 335i connected to the ground,the first 3 gears were met with globs of,thick white smoke, the kind camaro boys like
That kind of "thrill" didn't do much for me when I was 20 and it certainly doesn't three decades later. It's certainly your perogative to turn a 335xi automatic into a stoplight drag racer with "vishnu" bolt ons. But let's face it, there's always some punk kid in a 500hp Camaro waiting to show you his 10 second 1/4 mile rear end. For about 20% of the price of a 335ix, before the modifications.
...or some fanatic mechanic that spent over $100K on a 1967 Mustang that beats the 10 second mark! During hole shots, he sees the sky.
I am out of that scene and 300/300 would be just fine for me...no need to "stir the pot". At least I could keep your 911 tail lights in view for a short time!
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
The 335i and xi have the same engine, but the xi weighs 220 lbs more, has more driveline loss, has less ideal weight distribution, and has a higher drag coefficient. The 335xi also costs $2000 more and gets poorer gas mileage.
As far as a race is concerned - if the 335i has the sport package (and who in their right mind would order this car without it?), then it also has a 20 MPH higher top speed.
I think the only place where the 335xi would outperform a 335i is on an ice skating rink.
BTW Joe, if you don't mind my asking, where do you live?
I never drove the SP 335 but I'm sure the modified parts in the sp would out-shine the xi capability.
Perhaps I'm wrong and it won't be the last time.
Regards,
OW
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Regards,
OW
As for the tii, your wife simply must be made to understand why you HAVE to own this car. Explain to her just how special it is, and how tragic it would be for it to end up in the wrong, unloving, unappreciative hands.
It's your duty to buy the car, and she must not be allowed to stop you! Tell her if she loves you, she would understand. :surprise:
Or, would you say the asking prices are a little off the wall?
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I think you would do just as well (condition wise) finding one in California or Arizona, or maybe word of mouth in your local BMWCCA Chapter. It will take longer to find the right one though.
Also, I know you know this, but you should be prepared to open your wallet and turn some wrenches right away, no matter how pristine the car appears to be.
Don't tell me your gonna take the plunge (it's about time!).
Actually, I meant to ask roadburner, as he was just there.. I was curious about whether a lot of 'Festers try to sell their cars.
As far as turning wrenches? I just write checks..
You can find some nice cars in the Roundel... but, they tend to hold an awfully high opinion of them, if you know what I mean?
regards,
kyfdx
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My 335i has 1500 miles on it. I averaged 19 mpg at the beginning. Now it's somewhere around 21 mpg with about 40% highway driving. My commute is approximately 15 miles. The "highway" driving is sometimes stop-and-go, so it's still sort of city. Overall I have averaged 20 mpg.
There weren't a lot of cars for sale this year; I'd say that your chances are better checking things out at the chapter level. The cars that were for sale weren't priced too wild. In the case of the tii, the owner just mentioned to me that he had it for sale and that he'd like to see the car go to an OCD Bimmerhead's garage. He offered it to me in front of my wife and son. My wife didn't say no and my son thinks it would be a steal; I might just be able to swing the deal IF the price isn't TOO high...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
The 335xi is a dream to drive and was fantastic through pouring rain at moderate highway speeds. No hydroplaning at all on the ContiProContact RFT all-seasons - it was as if I was on dry pavement even through the big sweepers. DSC seems to really work.
Highly recommended!
xeye
I watch the drags, and almost can't believe anything short of a Patriot missile can go from 0 to 320 in under 5 seconds. It's astonishing to watch.
What I STILL don't understand (and what they NEVER freakin' explain) is:
What the heck is a "hole shot"??? I KNOW it's NOT what Tiger does on the green at the Masters!
Sorry to interrupt, and not meant to start a separate thread on drag racing...
Great drive. I've done in both ways a number of times on business in rental sleds. I envy you the ability to do it in a 3.
The whole gas mileage thing is a big plus for BMW, given that their nearest competition is Infiniti, with an engine/transmission/control system that yields significantly more fuel consumption.
No doubt, probably, on the track. But,
Come to Boston, just west actually, in February. I have a stop light in mind just west of my house, at the bottom of a hill. Line up next to me and you'll easily be able to tell me if any of my tail lights need maintenance. There is no way you'll be able to keep up.
I make no statement about stopping, turning or avoiding the cones on ice, although I suspect the xi with DSC will triumph in every case. The only scenario I foresee is you winning on dry pavement.
A small percentage of real life, in the Northeast anyway.
Still, I would like a year-long run in a 335i...